How Cute It Is!

Mother's Day will be here soon, and for all of those who have a new mom in their life, you must go and check out the babyGap home collection. This new collection from Gap has everything for little ones from bedding, to toys, and everything in between.

With cute finds for both mom and baby, I am absolutely in love with their baby safari bedding collection. Organic bedding like this safari crib sheet or tile-print crib sheet, are so cute for baby. And for mom, get her in style with the Bella Tunno diaper bag and matching diaper changing ditty.

babyGap home has everything needed for chic moms (and dads). Discover more of the collection here.

Happy Friday!

I have had this photo in my archives for some time. I like the blend of cultures and traditions. A Hindu God, African headdress, and European vase come together harmoniously atop this traditional marble table. It's amazing how such diverse items can come together with a carefully crafted color scheme of white, black and subtle pink.

Ethnic interiors can be so inspiring, showing us the incredible possibilities in blending styles from around the world. If you are as inspired as I am by global style, you must visit the Flickr group Ethnic Inspired Interiors started by Kay* from Decorating From Scratch. There are so many lovely photos to peruse, showcasing how ethnic design can become a beautiful part of daily life.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Just In Time For Summer

There are so many beautiful things happening at Pottery Barn right now. For those who may have abandoned the store due to what seemed like unoriginal style, now is the time to take a second look. Layers of color, diverse prints, and beautifully crafted furniture are all a part of Pottery Barn's look for Summer. Explore things like the Polka Dot Sheet Set above. What could be cuter?



Outdoor dining is so stylish in these Lela Dining Chairs.



Ikat Pillow Covers are a wonderful accessory to bring life to a plain white sofa.



The Taj Stool is a an all-around piece that can fit both indoors and outdoors, acting as a side table or extra seating for those summertime parties.



I am most surprised by the diversity in color and design. Look at the Pottery Barn Rug Collection. Moroccan influence abounds, and rugs range in Summer hues of orange, yellow and green.

If you're looking for that perfect Summer accessory for your home, look no further than Pottery Barn. You are sure to find something to make your home look fabulous just in time for Summer.

Hammocks and High Tea Mood Board

How gorgeous is this mood board created by Hammocks and High Tea for Nora's apartment? I love the sophistication, how masculinity and femininity come together with clean lines and curves. The neutral palette comes to life with the metallic accessories. I'm sure this will serve as a wonderful inspiration for Nora. Thanks for playing Hammocks and High Tea!

On Canvas

I am always excited to visit the Quora & Shai Boutique. Featuring canvas prints that Christian from Project Runway would call "fierce", this online boutique has prints to make any room in your home pop. Here are just a few of my favorites from their new collection.

Snootie

Brown Made in Paris

Macadam Party

Coco Mambo

If you're in search of some "fierce" style to define your home visit Nanoo Shai's Quora & Shai Boutique.

Travel: Maison La Vallette

In the Mediterranean, south of Italy, lies the island of Malta. A warm climate with winds coming from North Africa, this small place on the map boasts a beautiful culture and is home to Maison La Vallette, a discreet luxury townhouse that can be rented out for your own pleasurable vacation.



If you have ever imagined what it would be like to visit a far off and majestic place, Maison La Vallette is the place for you. Traditional meets modern amenities with furnishings from A list designer brands including Bodum, Fornasetti, Kartell, Alessi, Wedgwood and Ralph Lauren Home. Baroque styling comes together in this place with rustic elements, where gilded chairs stand beside whitewashed brick walls. The design and furnishings of Maison La Vallette have been hand-picked from the hand carved legs for the bed, to the Spanish damask headboard, to the kitchen bench with marble.









Maison La Vallette is truly a unique place for that very special getaway. Treat yourself here and be welcomed with a free welcome package on arrival including a bottle of local wine and other Maltese delicacies. Enjoy the on-site library collection, and lounge and enjoy the local music.

If you are ready for that special getaway, a one-of-kind vacation spot, visit the Maison La Vallette. I'm about to go right now to book my own vacation...

Happy Friday!

The weekend is upon us. I am ready to get started since I have a couple of new design projects that I'm working on. I was looking through my archives and came upon these images from InStyle Magazine. I absolutely love this design quote from Tracy Ellis Ross:

My design philosophy and fashion philosophy are the same: Just follow your heart and choose whatever makes you smile.

I could not agree more. Design is about what you love, so I hope that this weekend you find something lovely for your home, whether a new piece of furniture, something decorative, or just a nice bunch of flowers to spruce up your home for Spring.

To help you get started, here are few things that might interest you:

1. Check out Jayson Home and Garden. They have beautiful new furniture under the Rare Finds collection. A virtual flea market, you are sure to find something for your "I can't live without it!" list.

2. Submit your moodboard for Nora's apartment. I will post all of your lovely work next week.

3. Finally, have a wonderful weekend! Catch up on all of your favorite blogs (that's what I'll be doing), find a comfy place to sit back and relax, and enjoy your home.

Happy Friday!

Chic Seating

Courtney at Style Court had a nice post about the Gilt Kuba Chair at Jayson Home and Garden. A French antique chair covered in African fabric, I love how the two worlds come together creating a completely original piece. After going on Jayson Home and Garden's website I uncovered a few more chairs where classic European pieces meet African fabrics and prints.



Bobby Chair



Vintage Wing Chair



Gilt Kuba Chair



Vintage Chaise

Truly global decor, these chairs are a wonderful expression of what can happen when two worlds meet. Beautiful, unique, and absolutely chic.

Reader Request: Nora from City Sorbet

Recently, I was contacted by Nora from the blog City Sorbet. She is an art director and designer living in New York City who is looking for help in designing her apartment (pictured above). Nora writes:

I was wondering if you could help me pick a direction with my apartment. I did some quick photoshop comps and they are up on my blog. I live with my boyfriend, so unfortunately I can't go too girly. I love white and clean lines.

There are tons of options in thinking of the next steps for Nora's space, but after giving her a quick questionnaire she established the style she is looking to create - something sexy and sophisticated, with clean lines and a sleek finish that her and her boyfriend can live with. Oh yes, and a space with just a touch of girliness.

So, here is what I came up with for Nora's apartment. A sleek and sophisticated living room and office in a palette of white, black and fuchsia. With just a touch of girliness with curved furniture and lighting, I think this is a space that Nora (and her boyfriend) can feel absolutely fabulous in.


Nora's Living Room (click on the picture to enlarge)


Top: Arteriors Home Spindle Black Lola Floor Lamp; Sophie Lounge Chair; Petrie Sofa; Black World Woman . Bottom: Nook Rider Silk Pillow; T Table; Thomas Paul Flock Pillow.



Nora's Office (click on the picture to enlarge)


Cole & Sons Woods Wallpaper; Phillipe Desk; Sofia Table Lamp; Semikolon Desktop File; Semikolon Multimedia Box.


I had so much fun coming up with ideas for Nora's sleek and sophisticated New York pad. But, I don't want her to rely on my opinion alone, so I am inviting all of you to share your ideas as well. We did a fun exercise like this on Decor8, and I loved it! Here's a little more information to help you come up with a moodboard for Nora:

1. Her favorite colors are white and black, fuchsia and yellow. Her boyfriend likes black and navy blue.
2. She likes layering, neutral colors, and animal prints.
3. She wants a space that makes her feel glamorous and that is modern, clean, and spacious.
4. Her boyfriend requested something that has a little bit of an L.A. or Miami hotel style.
5. She is a minimalist.

Now it's your turn! Submit your ideas to aphrochicblog@yahoo.com or post something on your blog and list the link in the comments section below. At the end of the week I will post all of the ideas for Nora's chic pad.

Let's help this girl come up with the glamorous space that she is looking for!

An Evening With Angela Adams

I am so excited to be writing this post. It is not every day that you get to meet one of your design idols. So what a joy it was to attend an event at Design Within Reach in San Francisco featuring the work of Angela Adams (yes, that's me and Angela above!).



From San Francisco to New York, Las Vegas to Chicago, Angela is doing a wonderful talk around the country presenting a preview of her new designs for Spring and a discussion of her design process. This self-proclaimed hometown girl gave an inspiring talk about home, the language of design, the places we live, and the stories that can be told through textile design.



An insightful discussion into Angela's own design process, I fell even more in love with her work after learning how her roots, where she comes from, the seasons she lives in, how all of it impacts her work. Whether a rug inspired by her grandmother, or a design that reflects her love of the sea, Angela has established a language of design that takes us home wherever we may be.



Expressive and evocative, her textiles follow a natural landscape taking you to the sea, or the mountains, or even a cobble-stoned street in Maine. And coming upon the tenth anniversary of the Angela Adams brand you will be happy to see her new rugs like Morning Wings or her seascape Sea Fantasy.



I want to thank Angela for taking the time to speak with me prior to the event. Completely laid back, funny and approachable, it was nice to meet one of my favorite designers in person and to see that there is no pretense behind her style. She is just Angela, and is giving us all a little bit of something that reminds us of our roots - that takes us home.

Sonya Suhariyan

Hello AphroChic readers. I will be away the rest of this week on business travel, but wanted to leave you with something beautiful to reflect on. These are the amazing fashion illustrations of artist Sonya Suhariyan. Creating fashion illustration collages, Sonya's work is truly unique. Visit her website to view more of her wonderful work.







I will be back next week with some exciting new things, and a piece that I am working on that will require some feedback from all of you. See you next week!

Ann Wood Birds This Friday!

I just got word that Ann Wood will have new birds available in her etsy shop at 3pm EST today. Go quickly to purchase these one-of-a-kind handmade birds from Ann. They are so beautiful, and a great celebration of Spring. Hope you catch a sweet little birdie just for you.

Have a wonderful Friday!

The Softer Side of Things

It was a couple of months ago when I was looking through Blueprint Magazine and saw something absolutely stunning. I was surprised to find that the stunning thing I was looking at was a laundry bag. From the textile company India Rose, this bag was an indication of the unique and beautifully styled items made by this Bay Area design company.

Soft, luxurious textiles grace the India Rose online catalogue. With a range of items for the home, including some of the most beautiful shower curtains you will ever see, deep piled bath mats, and bed linens that look as if you would float away on a cloud the minute you lay on them, India Rose's light and airy textiles are truly a luxury.

Some of my favorites are from the White Devil Collection. With thick, curvy ruffles, the items in this collection look like they should be worn to a fancy party, rather than hung up in the bathroom.

White Devils Laundry Bag

White Devil Shower Curtain

I also like the crisp colors in the placemats and linens for the table. Clean white linens come to life with simply printed borders and patterns.

Juha Napkin

Usha Placemat

If you're hooked, as I was when I first saw the White Devil Laundry Bag, you can shop the online catalogue here.

And when you're finished, take some time to head over to Style Court. Courtney Barnes asked me and other bloggers and interior designers to give opinions on the first major piece of furniture someone should invest in. You can see my comments here. Have a wonderful day!

Laurel Denise

I was so happy when I received an e-mail a few weeks ago from Laurel Denise. Announcing a new Spring line, Laurel's work is soft, subtle, and beautifully made. You will love her collection of note cards, journals, and her 2008 calendar.



With a neutral color palette of wheat, baby blue, and light green, the design is clean and simple.



I absolutely love her 2008 calendar. Printed on light blue cardstock, the spiral bound calendar has an old-fashioned feel to it. Tabs separate each month, and the unique layout allows you to view weekly tasks and the entire month all at once.



There are lovely built-in folders to hold special notes and papers.

Lovely and delicate stationery just in time for Spring.

Home Sweet Home

I love when a new catalogue from Anthropologie arrives. It's like a breath of fresh air, being able to look through pages of such beautifully designed clothing and home decor. Their new home collection for Spring is absolutely gorgeous. Well crafted rooms blend feminine decor with a relaxed lived-in feel, offering a warm and cozy feeling for every room in the home.



This beautifully tufted chesterfield sofa takes on a softer side in pale blue.



Upholstered ottomans with bold graphic patterns are sure to make a statement without being overbearing.



And grandmother's china takes on a new look in oversized-mugs, old-fashioned ice cream bowls, and handpainted porcelain.

This new collection reminds me so much of time spent at my grandmother's house. A sweet, simple style that is so elegant and beautiful, and yet effortless. Isn't that what we're all trying to achieve - that home sweet home - a place with timeless appeal that is all at once comfortable, beautiful, and absolutely effortless.

shopSCAD

I was so happy when a couple of weeks ago a friend led me to shopSCAD, an online boutique featuring handmade wares, creations and designs from some of Savannah College of Art and Design's (SCAD) top students, faculty, staff and alumni.

With a catalogue offering a range of home goods, stationery and textiles, shopSCAD is the place to go for rare and unique items and to support the work of independent artisans like those from Working Class Studio who produced the amazing Roots & Shoots Tableware above.



At shopSCAD you will fall in love with items like this Wallpaper Sketchbook. Bright graphic patterns pop off white cardstock to create a sketchbook that is not only functional but visually appealing.




You will keep your eye out for artists like Paige Hathaway Thorn . Creating hand-dyed/hand-painted silk fabrics, Paige's pillows are coveted items that are absolutely one-of-a-kind.




And you won't be able to stop yourself from purchasing creative wares like these Framework Magnets. Antique frames for your refrigerator or filing cabinet, they are a great way to add style in some surprising places.




I especially love this one grey. It's just so pretty!

If you're looking for something unique - that special gift or one-of-a-kind piece - definitely shopSCAD. And if you're in Atlanta, visit the shopSCAD boutique, with three levels of art and design, and a fine arts gallery. Have fun exploring!

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! I want to thank all of you for your kind comments this week. I am so happy that everyone loves the new format and banner, and can't wait to reveal the new projects that are currently in development for the coming months.

This weekend I will be working on my taxes (yuck!), and updating the blog, but I invite you to curl up and enjoy some good reads and events:

1. Erin from Design for Mankind has released her third e-zine. You can download it here. Flip through over thirty pages of design inspiration.
2. Many people liked the post on African Chic. Find more inspiration at Elle Decoration South Africa's blog. Keep up with the latest trends in South African interior design.
3. Brocade Home has a blog! This week Brocade Home announced its new blog, and I am so happy to say that they have linked AphroChic to their site. Thank you! Have fun scrolling through sumptuous photos that inspire the work of this home decor boutique.
4. Finally, if you're in New York stop by the Resolution 4 Architecture happy hour this evening. Res4 helped to develop the Dwell Homes (photo above). They're holding a reception this evening from 6pm to 9pm at 150 West 28th Street, NYC 10001.

Enjoy!

{Image from Dwell}

African Chic

A recent post on Desire to Inspire highlighted the gorgeous work of photographer Katya de Grunwald. Having work featured in top interior design publications, including House & Garden, Martha Stewart Living and Elle Decoration, Katya's work is deeply inspiring. With a range of both personal and commercial work, I immediately fell in love with her portfolio, African Chic.

Featured in Elle Decoration, African Chic captures another side of Africa beyond the generic "safari style". Here, African style meets couture with elegant feathers, detailed textiles, bold shapes, and refined color.

Here is just a peek into the work of this London-based photographer. Visit her site to see more of Katya's beautiful photography.

Summer at West Elm

It's hard to believe that it's April already and that summer is just around the corner. West Elm's new summer collection will have you dreaming of lazy days under the sun. Here are a few of my favorites just in time for warmer days to come.



Terracotta is not just for outdoor plants anymore. With a simple shape and band of glossy white, the Terracotta Entertaining Collection is perfect for serving food and drinks to friends on a hot summer day.




It wouldn't be West Elm if there weren't beautiful new textiles for every season. I love these Tamarind-Print Pillow Covers. With an ethnic print that comes in warm yellow and orange, and cool blue, these pillow covers are a perfect way to add a little spice to your outdoor space.





Yellow is definitely the color of summer at West Elm. Add a little color to your home with this Petal Rug in yellow and ivory. And for those who are color shy, this new rug is also available in espresso.

With ethnic prints, beautiful neutrals, and warm tones, West Elm's summer catalogue is filled with home decor that will help you create your own exotic oasis this summer.

Clarissa Hulse Color Palettes

I love the work of textile designer Clarissa Hulse. Her new 2008 collection is absolutely fabulous with cushions, lampshades, and hand printed silk douppion. This Spring, Clarissa Hulse is offering something new - color palettes. Helping you to create a room with a perfect blend of colors and textiles, this new collection will inspire your springtime design plans.




This prune palette is perfect for early Spring. Mixed with subtle grays and dark plum, this sophisticated platte will look beautiful in a room with neutral colors like white and cream.




I love how brown, black and gold can come together to create a warm and exciting atmosphere. This peat palette is broken up by lighter tones so that the look is not muddy. This color combination is great for showing off a little bit of opulence. I could just see a black chandlier in a room with this palette.




For that summer beach house, this aqua palette is just right. Pumped up by espresso brown, you can make a statement this is both beachy and glamorous.

If you're currently in search of a new color palette for 2008, visit Clarissa Hulse. From now until May 31st they are offering 20% off all wallpapers as part of their exclusive Spring promotion. Just order and enter code 0408 for your discount.

Enjoy!

Something New...

Welcome to the new AphroChic! I am so proud to say that AphroChic is now a year old. It is hard to believe that it was a year ago that I embarked on this journey to bring what I love to the blogging community. I want to thank all of you for your support over the past year. It has really been incredible, and I have made so many wonderful friends through this blog.

Today, you will see the first in a number of changes coming to AphroChic. Today is so special because I get to release my new banner. I have to give a very big THANK YOU to Leon Belt of Beltway Graphics. Leon is a talented artist who designed my new banner, and who truly captured my vision for AphroChic.

I hope you enjoy the new AphroChic, and what's to come.

And now, on to the posts...

Home Away From Home

Have you ever dreamed of having your own secret place? A magical place that only you could go go to? Well, if you have had such dreams, then I have a place for you. A home away from home that is so much like a dream.

The Hotel Particulier, a Montmarte townhouse in Paris, France, is a boutique hotel like none other. You will truly be surpised by the intimacy, art and creativity that has been poured into this small townhome. With five suites designed by world renowned artists, this boutique hotel offers comfort, well being, and a unique experience for every visitor.



Like stepping into a scene from Alice in Wonderland, the Hotel Particulier is almost too good to be true. A real wonderland with opulent furnishings, and the coolest in comfort.



The salon in this room is a modern work of art. How I would love to stay here. I have imagined a place like this in my own home.



With candy-colored soaps and accoutrement's, the Hotel Particulier is full of all of one's delights.

If you love surprises, and a world that is not typical to anything you have experienced, this is the place for you. A magical place, this small hotel in Montmarte can be your home away from home.

It's All About Drew

If you haven't done so already, go and check your mailbox to be sure that you received the April issue of Domino Magazine. With actress Drew Barrymore gracing the cover and showing off her amazing office designed by Ruthie Sommers, this is a must read. From the cover of Vogue, to conducting her own interviews in Interview Magazine, and now to the cover of Domino, Drew has been very busy.



With her no rules attitude, and partnered with the talents of Sommers, Barrymore has an eclectic space that feels much more like home than an office. Here Drew's genuine style rings true as modern, antique, and a little bit of her own funky style come together to create a space as warm and inviting as the actress herself.

I recommend that this weekend you grab a cup of tea, curl up on the couch and enjoy this wonderful read. And if you're in search of even more photos of Drew's office space, visit Dominomag.com.

Have a Happy Friday!

New York Blog Tour Part III: ABC Carpet & Home

For years, it has been my absolute dream to visit the design mecca, ABC Carpet & Home. I have had dreams of taking a fabulous trip to New York where I would enter ABC and buy anything I wanted, picking out furniture and saying "I want that one" like some high society New Yorker. Well dreams, or at least parts of them, do come true.

On a Sunday afternoon during my trip to New York I made it into the Manhattan-based store. I almost had to pinch myself to make sure that I wasn't dreaming. With six floors of some of the most unique and gorgeous items you will ever see, I felt like I was on my own personal design pilgrimage. It was as if I had died and gone to heaven. Here are just a few highlights from my trip to this design mecca.

The Morning
To start the day, my mother, sister and I went to brunch at Pipa, one of ABC's many restaurants. Knowing we would be busy exploring what is a vast building, I thought it would good to start off the day with a light breakfast of pancakes and coffee. Little did I know that this restaurant would be my first introduction to the incredible design showcases at ABC. With hundreds of twinkling chandeliers hanging from the ceiling it was like eating in an old Spanish castle. Absolutely marvelous.

Floor By Floor
After brunch, we embarked on exploring the six floors ahead. At the first floor it was like entering Shangri La. I had truly entered "design heaven". From the first floor to the sixth, the store was filled with inspiring showcases, amazing furniture, and I had nothing but time to take it all in and explore. Here are just a few of the things that caught my eye:

Furniture